The Aquatic flower blooming most beautifully from the deepest and thick mud. It is a perennially blooming flower with striking symmetry and colours. But, this delicate beauty is much more than just a flower. It is a flower of spirituality and meaning as old as time.
Lotus Flower Facts:
- Lotus is the national flower of both India and Vietnam. Interestingly, it is the Lotus pink flowers that are a national symbol.
- The flower is native to Asia, predominantly to the regions of India and China.
- A Lotus flower grows 49 inches in height and can spread 10 feet horizontally.
- From the stems to the rhizomes, most parts of the flower are edible.
- Lotus flower also has applications in the medicinal industry. It has been used for treating muscle spasms and pains.
- The flower petals open in the morning and close at night.
- The petals of the Lotus have air-pockets to retain buoyancy on the water bodies.
- Lotus is a sacred Buddhist flower.
Further, the Lotus flower beholds a secret meaning and significance that makes it a sacred beauty. Unlike the other flowering plants, Lotus life cycle is different. With its roots padlock in the mud, the flower gets submerged into the water at night and re-blooms the next morning, sparkling clean. That’s the reason why in many cultures, Lotus significance is of re-birth, reemergence, and spiritual enlightenment.
Because of the lotus flower meaning of purity, grace, fertility, self-regeneration, serenity, and everything divine, it is often placed alongside deity figures. In Hindu culture, it is believed that God and Goddesses ride on the Lotus flower, whereas the Buddhists say Buddha appeared atop on the floating Lotus, and his first footsteps on Earth left Lotus blossoms.
Like, each flower colour has its own meaning, so does the lotus flower. The white lotus meaning is of purity and tranquillity, yellow for spiritual ascension according to Buddhist traditions.
The Lotus flower also exhibits a fascinating will to live. The seeds of the flower can survive droughts for more than over 200 hundred years, and are able to germinate after thousands of years.
With Lotus’s ability to resurrect as beautifully as it was last seen; the wax protective coating on its leaves, which ensures it’s beauty remains unaffected every morning, and it’s refusal to accept defeat– Lotus is emblematic of unwavering faith.
Buddhist proverb edifies, “ Living life with unwavering faith, as the lotus does, ensures the most beautiful revivals.”
How to Plant Lotus?
If you are growing Lotus from the rhizomes, then:
- Fill a container with the soil and cover it with rhizomes, leaving the pointed tips exposed.
- Submerge the container in warm water while leaving 2 inches above the soil.
- Keep raising the level of water to match the length of the stem.
- When the weather is approximately 16 degrees C and the stems have extended several inches, move the container out.
- Sink the container in the outdoor pond not more than 18 inches from the surface.
If you are growing Lotus from the seeds, then:
- Plant seeds in a container of warm water.
- The seeds that float should be thrown away because they are not fertile.
- Change the water every day while the seeds are sprouting.
- Once the Lotus roots emerge, pot them in the outdoor garden. Cover the roots with sand or gravel.
- Seeds should be planted in warm water up to 2 inches deep.
- Lotus containers should not have drainage holes.
Best Time To Plant Lotus:
If you pull your lotus container out of the pond and place it in full sun in the spring (after frost danger is over), the lotus will grow faster because it will warm up more. Keep some water over the soil, and return it to the pond by early summer, once warm weather is here to stay.
What is Ideal Soil For Lotus flower?
A good potting medium for lotus is a soil mixture about 60 percent clay and 40 percent river sand. Leave about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) between the top of the soil and the rim of your container. You can also use amended soil, with a separate layer of sand 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) deep on top.
How Much Sun Does Lotus Need?
Lotus need at least 5+ hours of DIRECT sunlight to grow and bloom. If your lotus is only getting late afternoon sunlight, the rays of the sun might not be strong enough for your lotus to bloom. Try relocating your lotus container to a sunnier spot, making sure to not disturb the tuber or roots.
How Much Water Does This Plant Need?
Most garden plants, flowers, and shrubs do best when they receive at least 1 inch of water per week, although they may need more during hot, dry spells. Rain isn’t always sufficient at supplying enough water for plants to thrive, so don’t count on it to keep plants healthy.
Caring Tips Of Lotus Flower Plant:
- Place the Lotus flower pot in a sunny spot
- Over fertilising can cause the plant to burn
- Protect lotus roots from freezing
- Trim and prune yellow foliage
- The soil in the container should always have 2-4 inches of water over it.